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Sexuality Counselor Certification Under Special Circumstances

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The following document must be read and signed in order to become certified as an AASECT Sexuality Counselor: What is Expected of AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselors

Eligibility

AASECT recognizes that professionals can achieve competency in sexuality counseling through avenues other than one prescribed in the AASECT certification process. The AASECT certification requirements, including intensive hours of supervision, help to ensure that certified professionals have appropriate knowledge, skill, experience, and ethical standards to provide quality service to the public. Special circumstances do exist, however, in which it is possible to definitively verify that a candidate’s knowledge, skill, experience, and ethical standards meet the AASECT standards for competency without having the candidate undergo AASECT-supervised training.

Certification Under Special Circumstances will be offered to professionals who are recognized by their peers locally, regionally, or nationally as a highly competent sexuality counselor and who can meet the following criteria

I. Membership in AASECT:

The candidate holds Full, Institutional, Retired or Life Membership in AASECT.

II. AASECT Code of Ethics:

The candidate has read the AASECT Code of Ethics and documents in writing agreement to be bound by the AASECT Code of Ethics.

III. Academic and Counseling Experience:

The candidate has earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and has ten (10) years of sexuality counseling experience.

IV. General Eligibility:

A. No clinical certification is required.

B. Applicants with a Master’s or Doctoral degree who hold valid state regulatory licenses or certificates in a discipline that provides psychotherapy will not be eligible for certification as a sexuality counselor, but are encouraged to apply for sex therapist certification.

V. Human Sexuality Education:

By means of transcripts, professional endorsements, or documented professional activity, the candidate demonstrates a thorough and broad-based knowledge of human sexuality.

VI. Sexuality Counseling Training and Experience:

By means of transcripts, professional endorsements, or documented professional activity, the candidate demonstrates competence in providing counseling, with experience of not less than 500 hours of providing sexuality counseling.

VII. Attitude/Values Training Experience:

By means of professional endorsement or documentation of attendance at a SAR, the candidate gives evidence that he or she has explored his/her own feelings, attitudes, values and beliefs regarding human sexuality and sexual behavior so that they do not interfere in the provision of care. Attendance at an AASECT-approved SAR is highly recommended.

VIII. Application and Approval Process:

Application

In addition to the appropriate application fee ($250), which is non-refundable, the candidate will submit one copy of the following:

1. Cover Sheet including:

· Candidates name and address

· AASECT certification being sought

· Academic degrees

2. An official transcript from program(s) where degree(s) were earned.

3. Curriculum Vitae.

4. A letter outlining the candidate’s work and training in the field of sex counseling. (Further documentation should be supplied upon request.)

5. A letter stating that the candidate has read the AASECT Code of Ethics and agrees to be bound by the AASECT Code of Ethics.

6. Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues (at least one letter must be from a current AASECT-certified sex therapist or counselor). Letters should attest that:

· The candidate is recognized locally, regionally, or nationally as a competent sex counselor.

· The counselor’s professional conduct is ethical.

All documentation will become the property of AASECT.

Approval

Upon receipt of a complete application package, AASECT will forward the application to the Sexuality Counselor Certification Committee for action and approval.

IX. Miscellaneous

A. All certified members are required to comply with the ethical standards established by AASECT as expressed in the AASECT Code of Ethics.

B. Upon approval of the Committee on Sexuality Counselors Certification, the successful applicant will receive a certificate in recognition of having met AASECT requirements for certification in the area of sex counseling. This certificate shall be subject to renewal for the first time in three (3) years, and every five (5) years thereafter.

C. Each AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor will be listed in the AASECT Membership Directory.

D. Membership in AASECT shall be maintained on an annual basis to retain the AASECT certification status. If membership in AASECT lapses, certification will also lapse.

©2004. American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors & Therapists (AASECT). All rights reserved.
AASECT 1444 I Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 Tel (202) 449-1099 Fax (202) 216-9646 info@aasect.org